1. What is Smart Futures? Government-Industry-Education collaboration Informs secondary school students about careers in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sectors Provides access to role models and their career stories Provides careers resources to parents and teachers Managed by Science Foundation Ireland in partnership with Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme 50+ partners, including stakeholders like: Campus Engage, NAPD, IGC, ISTA IBEC, SOLAS, HEA, IDA, American Chamber of Commerce Business in the Community, Junior Achievement etc.

2. What do we do? Grow awareness and improve perceptions of what people working in STEM do and what skills they use/require 1,300+ Smart Futures STEM volunteers available across the country 110k secondary school students engaged since 2013 Nationwide engagement in schools and at career events e.g. Higher Options, Scifest, TY Expo etc. Help to increase female participation and promoting alternative routes to STEM Break stereotypes!

3. Why volunteer? Help break (crazy scientist/nerd) stereotypes! Act as a role model / give practical insights Help students make informed decisions Avail of free communications training Free access to online school bookings system Visit schools when it suits YOU Local community engagement Help address skills shortage Improve your skills Commitment = Attend 1 training workshop + complete 2 school visits per year Commitment = Attend 1 training workshop + complete 2 school visits per year

4. Share your story with students!

5. *Science Foundation Ireland Barometer Research (Millward Brown, 2015) 9 out of 10 Agree young people’s interest in STEM is essential for our future prosperity 88% Think science is an important subject to study at school 85% Agree it is important to encourage more girls to study STEM Attitudes among the general public towards STEM education

6. If you have never interacted with anyone in STEM… …how do you know if you will fit in? …or if this is a career for you? Source: Smart Futures – Amarach Research 33

7. Some Smart Futures Partners…

9. Things to get involved in…

10. 3737 www.SmartFutures.ie @SmartFuturesIE @SmartFutures “”Smart Futures offers IBM and other industry partners the opportunity to coordinate and strengthen our STEM careers messaging under the Smart Futures umbrella, providing schools with high quality resources, access to role models and importantly, a process for evaluating outreach activity in this space.” -Deirdre Kennedy (Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs, IBM Ireland) Register your interest smartfutures@sfi.iesmartfutures@sfi.ie Next steps?